Public Sector

From policy making for the government to the administration of refuse collection in district councils, work defined by the state as "necessary to meet the fundamental needs of society" is undertaken by an enormous variety of public servants.

Direct and indirect taxation provides revenue for the delivery of national and local services and pays the salaries of millions of people employed in the public sector such as civil servants, local government officers, nurses, social workers, police officers, finance managers and teachers.

Every level of public sector activity is represented in Yorkshire with graduate employment opportunities in a range of government departments, agencies and local authorities as well as the professional roles in major services such as health, education and the armed forces. Some are front-line workers, others are responsible for policy making and the efficient and effective management of public money and resources.

The public's expectations and changes in the social climate affect the priorities and focus of the public sector such as technological or scientific developments or the spread of international terrorism.

Perhaps surprisingly, given its reputation for bureaucracy, red tape, security of employment and "jobs for life" working culture, the public sector has had to become increasingly responsive to changes in society and demonstrate real flexibility in maintaining high levels of service in a rapidly changing world.

Jobs in this sector are varied. Have a look around some of the job descriptions to get a feel for the different roles and how public sector employment differs from careers in the private sector.

Education
Civil Service
Social & Community Services

Fire Service
Local Government
Criminal & Justice Services

Useful links: